Stated Meeting 1 02/08/2024 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, February 8, 2024 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK F. SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 02/08/2024
I know that the hour has come and that a quorum of this Council is present. Council will now come to order. Members please take your seats. Visitors will retire to the seats outside the rails. Before proceeding, I will ask all those present to set your cell phone to silent or vibrate. On this special day, we will be having an interfaith invocation and presentation. So first, I'm going to ask for Imam Yahaya Adam of Masjid Al-Jamia of Philadelphia. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier. I will ask all Members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests and visitors rise.)
Good morning, everyone. Stated Meeting 3 02/08/2024 (Good morning.)
I'm Imam Yahaya Adam from Masjid Al-Jima and I'm here to lead the Islamic prayer, and I would like to do it the traditional way, which is always said in Arabic. And I hope and pray God will answer our prayer: (Arabic translation.) Thank you very much. I want to make it brief and I hope and pray this will be a wonderful meeting. Thank you everyone and thank you for having us here. We appreciate it so much. Assalam alaikum wa rehmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Peace be unto you.
Also joining us today from Brooklyn, New York, not a stranger to the City of Philadelphia, former Executive with the DNC who helped propel our last great President to become the President of the United States, Stated Meeting 4 02/08/2024 the form of the cloth. Bishop Leah Daughtry, Presiding Prelate of The House of the Lord of Church here on behalf of Majority Leader Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Isaiah 58:12. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins. You will restore the foundations laid long ago. You will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets in which to dwell. Let us pray. Oh God, creator of heaven and earth, lover of peace, freedom and justice, we thank you for the grace you have given to us to live in so great a country that it celebrates and embraces the open and exuberant free exchange of ideas. We thank you for those who gather today in this chamber, seeking to fulfill the responsibility of faithful Stated Meeting 5 02/08/2024 citizenship, and who give so freely of their time, their talent and their treasure for a cause and a purpose that is greater than themselves, for them and for ourselves, for the work that must be done, for the bridges that must be built, for the children who must be saved, for the sick who must be healed, for the last who must be first. We ask for strength for the journey, clarity of thought, sharpness of vision, singleness of purpose and the courage of our convictions to make the promise of America the practice of America. Because we ask if it is in your name, we decree and declare that it is so. And all the people of God say Amen. (Amen.)
The Chair thanks the Imam and the Stated Meeting 6 02/08/2024 their invocation. Council will now be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Such a great show of unity. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 1, 2024. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 1, 2024 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 1, 2024 stand approved. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Stated Meeting 7 02/08/2024 (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is the request of leave of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Majority, there are no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Minority, Stated Meeting 8 02/08/2024 no requests for leave of absence today.
The Chair thanks the Councilmember. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, resolutions taking substantive Stated Meeting 9 02/08/2024 be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar and a motion placing a resolution on or returning a resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notes concerning possible actions with Council to be included on the Calendar that were published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this session of Council. All those in favor will Stated Meeting 10 02/08/2024 saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair will now dispense for the record order of business to recognize guests and visitors joining us in the chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate you taking the time and joining us as we attend the legislative affairs of our great city. We certainly invite you to come again. We have a couple of guests who are here with us today. And so, at this moment I'm going to dispense with the regular order of business and recognize Councilwoman Katherine Stated Meeting 11 02/08/2024
Thank you, Council President. Good morning, Council President and colleagues. Today I have the humble honor and privilege to welcome again a very special guest to Philadelphia City Council. Today we are joined by Bishop Leah Daughtry, Convener of the 2024 Power Rising Summit. Power Rising provides a safe and inclusive space for an intergenerational network of Black women to turn power into action and create an actionable agenda to be implemented in our communities by leveraging social, political, professional, cultural and economic power. These women are able to utilize their influence for the betterment of ourselves, our communities and our country. Stated Meeting 12 02/08/2024 summit is taking place right here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy from February 8th to February 11th. Bishop Leah Daughtry has the distinct honor of being the CEO of the Democratic National Convention. Bishop Daughtry is the only person in the party's history to be the CEO of two, not one but two Democratic National Conventions, including here in the great City of Philadelphia. The first being in 2008 with the nomination of President Barack Obama, and the second convention she chaired was here in Philadelphia in 2016 to nominate Secretary Hillary Clinton. I want to thank you for joining us here in the great City of Philadelphia with your special guest, A'shanti Gholar, President and CEO of Emerge; Sharon Daughtry, Executive Director of DB&A; Tina Stated Meeting 13 02/08/2024 Akintayo, principal of Akintayo Management Group; and Leah Henderson as well as Simone who has helped us organize this wonderful visit. We welcome you all to the great city of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sister Effectiveness. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you so much, Council President. I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge everyone who's here today to help us honor the life and celebrate the memory of Emanuel Kelly. I want to extend a special welcome to Emanuel Kelly's wife, Dyan Kelly, the entire Kelly family welcome and the team from Kelly Stated Meeting 14 02/08/2024 Emanuel Kelly passed on late last month, but his mark on Philadelphia will live on for generations. He founded Kelly Maiello Architects, one of the first Black-owned architecture firms in the City, and the team behind dozens of public spaces, including the Reading Market, West Philly High, the Criminal Justice Center and much, much more. Recently his firm was also the lead design firm helping Rebuild with the Kingsessing Rec Center. And so, he's left his mark physically on our City's built architecture, but he's also been a leader in the design community and beyond. He was someone that I personally looked up to. He reached out to me many times with encouragement in my fight for affordable housing in the 3rd Stated Meeting 15 02/08/2024 across the City, and his mark will live on in the City forever. And so, we're going to hear from his loved ones and his friends during public comment. And I just want to welcome them today. Thank you so much, Council President.
Thank you. Can we give the family a round of applause please. (Applause.)
Can the Kelly family stand? Can the Kelly family stand?
They might be still in route, but we will receive them when they get here.
Okay. Absolutely. Emanuel was a great gentleman. We do not have any presentations to make today. Stated Meeting 16 02/08/2024 Therefore, the next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms deliver the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. The Chief Clerk will read the messages from the Mayor.
To the President and Members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am transmitting for the consideration of your Honorable Body: A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2501, 2855, 2857 Amber Street; 2143, 2155, 2157 East Birch Street; 2134, 2172 East Cambria Street; 2103, 2107 East Cumberland Street; 2107 East Dakota Street; 2478, 2480 Emerald Street; 2022 East Fletcher Street; 1929, 1935, 1943, 2215 through 2217 East Harold Street; 2637, 2639, 2643, 2645 and 2649 Janney Street; 2936 Jasper Street; 2639, 2641, Stated Meeting 17 02/08/2024 2643, 2653 Kensington Avenue; 2068 East Monmouth Street; 1844 East Oakdale Street; 2140, 2151, 2153 and 2156 East Orleans Street; 2646, 2658 Ritter Street; 2089 East Somerset Street; 2106, 2133, 2135, 2250, 2252 East William Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. The messages will be printed in the Journal. The Chief Clerk will please read any other communications in his possession.
Thank you, Mr. Chief Clerk. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Anthony Phillips. Stated Meeting 18 02/08/2024
Thank you. Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues and good morning, viewing public. Council President, I have no bills or resolutions for today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I offer no bills or resolutions this morning.
Thank you, Council President. I offer one bill and one privileged resolution today.
Will the Clerk please read the Stated Meeting 19 02/08/2024 titles of the bill and resolution.
An ordinance amending Sections and of an Ordinance, (Bill No. 170086) approved May 22, 2017, entitled "An Ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades in a portion of City Plan No. 269," by relocating portions of the houselines and curblines of Convention Avenue from 34th Street to Health Sciences Drive.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a privileged resolution honoring, commemorating the life and legacy of revered Philadelphian, Professor and Architect Emanuel Kelly.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Stated Meeting 20 02/08/2024 Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to the listening public. Today I have two resolutions to offer to the body. Thank you, sir.
Thank you. Will the Clerk please read the titles of the resolutions.
A privileged resolution recognizing and congratulating the Champion of the Week, 5th Grader Emily Enscore, for her work raising money for Project HOME to help end cycles of poverty and homelessness in Philadelphia. A reminder to all of us that little Philadelphians can do big things.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Stated Meeting 21 02/08/2024
And a privileged resolution recognizing the impact of Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law and celebrating its recent expansion.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.
Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues. One resolution today.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining witness relocation policies in the City of Philadelphia as well as discuss strategies on creating a housing rehabilitation and witness Stated Meeting 22 02/08/2024 relocation program that will allow for higher rates of witness attendance and an increase in the closure rate of homicide cases.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. I have one bill to introduce today.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Service and Other Businesses," to add requirements related to the practices of tax preparation service providers to increase transparency Stated Meeting 23 02/08/2024 about free tax preparation services in the City of Philadelphia.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I offer no bills or no resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Jay Young.
Thank you, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.
Thank Stated Meeting 24 02/08/2024 you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues. I have one bill for today.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-2300 of The Philadelphia Code, ("Protection of Displaced Contract Workers"), to provide protections for service employees, including laid-off employees, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the Stated Meeting 25 02/08/2024 appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas Nick O'Rourke.
Thank you, Council President. I have nothing to introduce today.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.
Morning, Mr. President. I offer one bill for consideration today.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the bill.
An ordinance amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by providing for prohibitions relating to license plate flipping devices and for penalties and Stated Meeting 26 02/08/2024 enforcement.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilmember O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla.
Good morning, Mr. President. I have one non-privileged resolution.
Will the Clerk please read the title of the resolution.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Stated Meeting 27 02/08/2024 Bank to dispose of 2501, 2855 and 2857 Amber Street; 2143, 2155 and 2157 East Birch Street; 2134, 2172 East Cambria Street; 2103 and 2107 East Cumberland Street; 2107 East Dakota Street; 2478, 2480 Emerald Street; 2022 East Fletcher Street.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognize Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution and one bill.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bill and resolution.
An ordinance establishing park regulations in the vicinity of Old York Road and Stated Meeting 28 02/08/2024 Courtland Street and Louden Street.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
A non-privileged resolution renaming the 6000 block of Norwood Street "Frankie Beverly Way."
Y'all supposed to clap for that one. (Applause.)
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. There being no reports from Committees today, the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar as they are no bills -- let me go back to my sister over there. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nina Ahmad.
Thank Stated Meeting 29 02/08/2024 you, Mr. President. The last is the best.
Thank you very much. Excuse me for my oversight, Councilmember Ahmad.
The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. As there are no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. Stated Meeting 30 02/08/2024 2ND READING The following resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 240073, 240074 and 240081.
Thank you. Before considering these resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action of today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hansen at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, Stated Meeting 31 02/08/2024 public commenters will each have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Today the time limit will be two minutes. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium when there are 30 seconds remaining, your time on the light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once the two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same matter. I will now ask the Chief Stated Meeting 32 02/08/2024 Clerk to please read the first name of our speaker, and we have a very extensive list today.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Queen Judith Robinson. (No response.)
The next speaker is Steven Bilski commenting on 240074. (Witness approached podium.)
Councilmembers, good morning. I'm Steven Bilski, CEO of Memphis Street Academy Charter School at J.P. Jones. Thank you for allowing me to make public comment today in support of Stated Meeting 33 02/08/2024 Resolution 240074, the establishment of the Kensington Caucus. I wanted to purposely speak at today's City Council meeting to vocalize my school support in this innovative coalition to tackle clean-up efforts in hopes of making Kensington greater. As middle a school in Port Richmond serving Grades 5 through 8, students travel through Kensington's open air drug market on a daily basis. The pervasive presence of violence, crime and drugs become a recipe for trauma that they then carry through the school doors. Every day these students are forced to start their days making their best attempt at blocking out these images and experiences to do their best at concentrating on academics. Far too many suffer in silence as we attempt to meet their holistic and academic needs. Stated Meeting 34 02/08/2024 Recently the landmark Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision William Penn School District versus the Department of Education ruled that the system Pennsylvania uses to fund its public schools is unconstitutionally inequitable. More importantly, the Supreme Court's decision stipulated that education in the state of Pennsylvania is a fundamental right. So when we discuss the magnitude of addressing Kensington's open air drug market, we're really talking about and discussing students' rights to a free education. I have been confronted by countless times by concerned parents, guardians and even students about traversing through their communities and their neighborhoods, often times explaining that the reason they could not come to school was because of the safety concerns Stated Meeting 35 02/08/2024 in and around the community. Councilmember Lozada said it perfectly, the residents of Kensington deserve collaborative, strategic framework or team work. And we, Memphis Street Academy Charter School, are ready to enter into this partnership. This is why we wholeheartedly support Councilmembers Lozada, Driscoll, Harrity and Squilla's Kensington Caucus to make a positive impact on this community. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Chief Clerk please call the next speaker.
She's coming. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting 36 02/08/2024
I'm going to ask that the next speaker please also come to the podium to be prepared when your name is called.
My name is Dyan Kelly. And I'm here to thank the Council for the recognition of my husband and his accomplishments, Emanuel Kelly. I'm reminded of the phrase, it doesn't take great men to do things, but it's doing things that make men great. And the thing I remember about my husband is his warmth and integrity. It reminds me of a poem, The Measure of a Man that goes, the measure of a man is not determined by his show of outward strength or the volume of his voice or the thunder of his actions or his intellect and academic abilities. It is seen rather in terms for the love he has for his family and for Stated Meeting 37 02/08/2024 everyone. The genuineness of his friendships, the sincerity of his purpose, the quiet courage of his conviction, the fun, laughter, joy and happiness he gives to his family and others, his love of life, his patience and his honesty, and his contentment with what he has. And my husband was very content. I asked him once what made him happy. And he said, I don't do happiness. I do satisfaction and contentment. And I'm where I want to be. I'm doing what I want and I'm with who I want to be with. That's what makes me content. And to my husband of 45 years, it was my honor and privilege to share his journey. Thank you. (Applause.)
Will the Chief Clerk please call the next speaker.
Troy Leonard. Stated Meeting 38 02/08/2024 (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, everyone. My name is Troy Leonard and I'm the principle and President of Kelly Maiello Architects. I'm here to speak on behalf of Emanuel Kelly. I've known Kelly for 40 years in many different capacities. First, as a student while attending Temple University. And secondly, I've known him -- secondly, I've known him as employer when in 1989 he hired me as an intern at Kelly Maiello Architects, KMA, and I worked my way up to project architect and finally associate. And then finally, I've known him as an associate and a friend, where in 2015 he turned over the reins of Kelly Maiello and I became the employer and he became the employee, and he took on the title of founding principle where he served in that role until the day he Stated Meeting 39 02/08/2024 died. There's been great things I can say about Emanuel. But the one consistent thing is that he had integrity and dedication for Philadelphia. And this is exemplified in his three-plus decades as a professor at Temple University where he's taught many young architects who are currently serving as great leaders in this City. Secondly, as a leader where he cofounded Kelly Maiello in the early '70s. And then finally, as a professional where he designed many iconic buildings in Philadelphia. So I can't think of a more deserving person than Emanuel Kelly for this award. Thank you. (Applause.)
I just want to say to the Kelly family, I've worked with Emanuel Stated Meeting 40 02/08/2024 Kelly since I've become a Councilperson in the 2nd Councilmanic District. And he definitely was a giant of a man, and he also showed that we have highly qualified African American architects here in the City of Philadelphia and can build the tallest buildings that you've ever seen in the world. And so, to the family I want to also just personally give my condolences because he was definitely someone that I looked up to in the development community and was very, very supportive of all his efforts, especially when developers would come in my office and say, well, we can't find an architect. Well, here's an example of someone who's doing that type of great work. And so, to the family we will definitely keep you and your family in prayer. Stated Meeting 41 02/08/2024 Will the Chief Clerk please call the next person for public comment.
I'm re-calling Queen Judith Robinson. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Queen Judith Robinson here. Black History 365 so much so. The Kensington bill, we need that citywide. We can't let that horror flow into other communities. So I understand the opioid crisis is moving across our city. Let's not stop there. I'm going to put a pin in it because I'm going to say to be continued. I have a message from Queen Sapora from Grays Ferry regarding the increase in rental estate taxes. I'm going to bring that mission to her Councilperson, Council President Johnson. Okay. So there's queens in Stated Meeting 42 02/08/2024 Philadelphia all over Councilman Anthony Phillips and we're going to come out of the woodworks and let you all know we exist. In that regard, sir, Emanuel Kelly, condolences to his family and peace and blessings to them. I am a certified tour guide and I'm going to be doing tours in City Hall shortly, but I'm certified through the Foundation for Architecture back from 2000. And Emanuel Kelly was there to help me through that process. I was the only African American in the class, which I paid to get this knowledge. And he was there with that quality, quiet twinkle in his eye of approval. Then I met him again as I was on the Board of the Advocate Community Development Corporation as he did the refurbishing of the recreation of the gym area that had Stated Meeting 43 02/08/2024 burned down and how he matched the stone of the old stone of the Church of the Advocate where I'm a docent. I am pushing for a historic Diamond Street, the first historic corridor, Preservation Alliance is still a very White-oriented organization that Foundation for Architecture was almost 25 years ago. They need to get their minds right. They're out of touch with Black queens. With that I'm going to say Friends of Tannerhouse 32nd Ward RCO, get information. Peace. (Applause.)
Will the Chief Clerk please call the next speaker.
The next speaker is Marnie Loughrey commenting on 240074. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Stated Meeting 44 02/08/2024 Marnie Aument Loughrey. I'm the Democratic Ward Leader of the 33rd Ward and I am the Chair of Kensington Independence Civic Association. I am here in support of the Kensington Caucus. Many of yous know me. I've been here before. I want to take the time to thank Councilwoman Lozada, our newest City Councilperson for the 7th District, Councilman Harrity, Councilman Driscoll, and Councilman Squilla who has been fighting this fight with us the longest as he's the senior member of the Caucus. He has walked the streets with us and he has seen our children and what we have to deal with. This initiative being taken by this body is giving hope back to our children and our community. Many of our community members are standing right here with us. We are Stated Meeting 45 02/08/2024 letting you know what our children have to see every day, our seniors that cannot come out of their houses to go to a store. We have businesses that shut down because of the issues going on here. And, yes, as the Queen said, this is all over the City. It's all over our country, but Kensington has been inundated the most. When this Caucus and this body under this new Administration gets this together, which yous are doing, this is a project that can spread to the rest of not only our city, but the rest of the state and the rest of the country. Thank you, Philadelphia City Council Councilmembers for being the first, as we have always been the first, to take an initiative to take care of the people that you are elected to take care of. You have my heart and yous have my soul, and Stated Meeting 46 02/08/2024 I thank you for the future that you are giving our children and our seniors. We here have been fighting for eight years. Eight years this has been going on. And it has taken a new Mayor and a brand new Council to get done what we have been begging and praying for. And I thank yous all for that. And I thank you, Councilman Squilla, for walking with us. I don't know how many times we shut down Kensington and Allegheny. We walked from Sommerset all the way up. This new Administration, I thank you with my heart, I thank you with my soul and I thank you for the future of our children. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker. Stated Meeting 47 02/08/2024
Suleiman Hassan commenting on 240074. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Suleiman Hassan. First and foremost, I'm going to thank everybody that's here today in Council and everyone from the community in the City of Philadelphia. I'm here to represent Soldiers for Recovery as well as One Day At A Time program. I'm going to jump right into it. I grew up in Philadelphia all my life. All my life I've been subjected to trauma, childhood trauma due to my mother's addiction. When I got older, I wound up becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol as well. For over 20 years, I found myself up in Kensington living on the streets, sleeping on the streets, going to the bathroom on the streets. Everything that you Stated Meeting 48 02/08/2024 see, that was what I was a part of. I turned my life around 10 years ago. I started going right back to the same streets that I slept on, went to the bathroom on, did drugs on, helping the community. And due to programs like One Day At A Time, that's like family to me. But we need to understand that people that are up there, they're sick but they're family. And that's a small community that needs our assistance. It needs our help. It's kids out there that can't even walk down the street. It's kids out there that have to walk through glass and feces. And you know, it's terrible. It brings tears to my eyes. And anybody that knows me in this room, they know what I do. I'm out there every day pulling people out from the disease of addiction to give them hope. And it's going to take love. Stated Meeting 49 02/08/2024 It's going to take programs like One Day At A Time. It's going to take programs like Soldiers for Recovery to get out there to help clean, to give the community back to the people. I've been clean now for 10 years and -(Applause.)
-- I'm so grateful for it due to One Day At A Time. You have doctors out there, you have lawyers out there. I have developed friends and family out there who have lost their way with Master's degrees, Doctor's degrees, who have just lost their way. I can stand here today and say I'm a grandfather now. We need to -- I'm a homeowner now. I'm a business owner now due to programs like One Day At A Time. So please, please, please help us give the community back to the people. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 50 02/08/2024
Good morning. My name is Jamie Gullen and I'm the Managing Attorney of the Employment Unit and Youth Justice Project at Community Legal Services. I want to thank Councilmember Thomas and all of Council for recognizing the expansion of Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law today through a resolution. At Community Legal Services has been at the forefront fighting alongside our clients for the rights of people with criminal records for several decades, and City Council has always been a true partner to us on that work from collaborating on community-based, record-clearing clinics to passing one of the Stated Meeting 51 02/08/2024 strongest Fair Hiring laws in the country to funding the Promise record clearing initiative, so we thank you for that. Now, with Clean Slate on the precipice of being expanded as of this Monday, felony convictions, including old felony drug convictions will be eligible for the very first time to be sealed under Pennsylvania law. (Applause.)
About two-thirds of the clients who approach Community Legal Services Employment Unit every year come to us because they are struggling to find work or advance in their careers because of their criminal court records, often records that are old and completely unrelated to their ability to be excellent employees. That led us in 2018 to Stated Meeting 52 02/08/2024 advocate for the passage of the first Clean Slate law, which today has already sealed over 45 million records through automation and has become a national model. 12 other states now have their own clean slate laws with more on the way. But now Pennsylvania joins the vast majority of states that allow some felony convictions to be sealed as well, and we know this is going to be so important for the hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians who are living with felony conviction records. Just over the past year through our Promise record-clearing clinics, we've seen that over half of the participants will be eligible to have their records fully cleared under this law. CLS is ready to partner with Council to get the word out about this expansion to as many Philadelphians as possible. We want Stated Meeting 53 02/08/2024 to help your constituents benefit from this law and we look forward to being able to provide training, to do clinics in the community and to continue to help as many folks as possible get a fresh start. And next up, you'll hear from my amazing colleague Neshea Jackson who will talk about the personal impact that this will have on Philadelphians. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Neshea Jackson. I'm a convicted felon, and I've been a convicted felon for over 30 years. For the past 34 years, I have lived my life as a law-abiding citizen. Stated Meeting 54 02/08/2024 Even though I have been an upstanding citizen, I am still a convicted felon. Being a felon has haunted me. I love the law. Time after time I have been denied employment. After every favorable interview, I was told it was a pleasure to speak with you Neshea, only to get an email a few weeks later that started, Thank you for your interest. When it starts like that, you did not get the job. I was previously employed with the City of Philadelphia as a school crossing guard ensuring the safety of students going to and from school. I loved that job. I volunteered with the national organization CASA. I have given four speeches. But when I got the email to speak at City Council, the only thing that came to mind was I started from the bottom, now I'm Stated Meeting 55 02/08/2024 here. Enough about me. Allow me to share what record clearing means to others. In 2018, Clean Slate gave over 45 million people some sort of record clearing relief. On December 14th, Clean Slate 3.0 was enacted into law which will allow some felony convictions to be sealed for the very first time. Let me repeat that: Felony convictions can be sealed for the very first time. (Applause.)
That will mean that felons are now allowed to achieve their employment goals and that their mistakes will no longer define them and they are someone that friends and family can be proud of. I'm in my fourth year of the part of the process and I understand that feeling. I started my application in March of 2020. In October of 2023, Stated Meeting 56 02/08/2024 the Board of Pardons wrote it on my application, 5-0 application recommended. On -(Applause.)
-- January 15th, I attended the Barrister's Annual MLK Breakfast in the Crystal Tea Room in Center City with a sea of prominent lawyers, some civic organizations, the Lieutenant Governor, Madam Mayor Cherelle Parker, state and federal judges and along with most of you here today. Just talking about it gives me chills. I attended that event as Neshea Jackson, Paralegal in the Employment Unit at Community Legal Services. It was a dream come true. It takes one person to see you, one person to believe in you. Thank you, Councilmember Thomas. (Applause.)
Thank you for the important work that Council Stated Meeting 57 02/08/2024 does. Thank you for funding the Promise and the United Way and the Clean Slate record clearing initiative. Thank you for seeing us. (Applause.)
I'm Al Klosterman. I'm a member of the Harrowgate Civic. For too long our community has seen neglect and disinvestment from this City. No one saw or heard us. We felt hopeless. Then redistricting, something changed. We now have three District Councilmembers representing our area and an At-large one who lives in the heart Stated Meeting 58 02/08/2024 of it. They thought that the best way to aid our community was by banding together. Our members became more -- other members became more sympathetic to the cause. Our community is long worked and fought together in this goal, so we see this as the best approach. We stand together with our Councilmembers of the Kensington Caucus. The proposed triage center is the best idea we've heard yet to fix so many wrongs in a compassionate and positive way. The drug users are being directed to treatment and medical care and housing afterwards. The residents will start seeing their neighborhood become clean and safe again. But stores and other amenities returning. Children and elders could walk about without fear. Our civic meeting last week Stated Meeting 59 02/08/2024 was one of our largest and most enthusiastic. People have a real feeling of hope. We, the community, are on board with this proposal. It needs to be done. Give us back our community. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Darlene Burton. I stand before you, Council President and Distinguished Members of Council as a 28-year resident of the Harrowgate area. When I tell you that this Caucus listens to the residents of our community and has given us hope that we will once again have the neighborhood that I moved to 28 years ago for a better life. I'm so Stated Meeting 60 02/08/2024 nervous right now because not only do I stand you before as a community member, I stand before you as someone who has been affected by the opioid epidemic. Because last year I was sweeping in front of my house and I had on sandals and it was a needle in the broom and I didn't see it, and it hit my foot. So I have to get HIV testing every three months for a drug that I've never used. I have grandkids that my children are fearful to let come to my house because where I live at, the same neighborhood I raised them. I'm asking you to approve this Caucus because we need our community back. We're tired of living like this. We're tired of being a containment facility for the drugs not only in this City but in the country. Any two times Mexico uses your neighborhood as a Stated Meeting 61 02/08/2024 cautionary tale for not using drugs when the drugs mostly come from Mexico, you know you're in deep. We're asking y'all to please give us the Kensington Caucus to give hope and a voice back to the residents of my community. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker.
Crystal Anderson commenting on 240074. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Crystal Anderson. Good morning, everybody. I just want to say I all too well know the disease of addiction. Every family has or has had a turn. Every city has a Kensington Avenue, and year after year programs have been created to combat the war on drugs. Stated Meeting 62 02/08/2024 While we all want to help the problem, in my opinion providing addicts with clothes, clean needles, wound care treatment, condoms, crack pipes and all kinds of paraphernalia keep them sick. Now, we're not opposing treatment. In the '80s and the '90s, Black people were given substantial amount of prison time, families were broken up and kids were thrown in foster care. Now that the drugs have hit a different demographic, it's an epidemic and now I see a lot of coddling. Where's the tough love? It's not pretty, but it's a step toward the right direction. We're tired of being sick and tired. In the last past 20-plus years, residents cannot come outside their doors without seeing nodding, shooting up in public, dirty needles, littering and seeing human feces on the ground. What kind of Stated Meeting 63 02/08/2024 quality of life is that for the residents. We do not have to be subjected to that. The Kensington Caucus' number one priority is to come together as one and to restore quality of life in our community. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker please.
Daisie Cardona commenting on 240074. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Daisy Cardona. I'm a lifelong Kensington resident and youth activist. I teach at the Rubble Arts School for gymnastics and tumbling with our scholarship program. I was sitting today wondering what to bring forth for you today, because frankly every Stated Meeting 64 02/08/2024 time we've been here fighting and rooting for our community, we've had people slamming on glass and just fighting to try and silence us. I have been -- I have seen -- I've lived in Kensington my whole life. I have seen this every single day since I was a little girl so as have all of my students, a bunch of my students and all the kids I see every day, our residents, our elders, both young and old. And this is not fair. I'm here today to support the Kensington Caucus, which frankly my park is McPherson Square. Yet everyone knows it as Needle Park and I went and inspected it and it's in pieces. It is not safe and it is not fair for a community to be this way. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please call the next Stated Meeting 65 02/08/2024 speaker.
Shannon Farrell commenting on 240074. (Witness approached podium.)
Shannon Farrell, President of the Harrowgate Civic Association and 45th Ward Democratic Ward leader. So I've lived in Harrowgate my entire life. And last spring we sat in Conwell and we listened to a Public Safety hearing where a 10-year-old child got up and said, I worry at night and can't sleep because I have to get my 6-year-old sister to school safely. And then when I'm in school, I'm worried that I'm not going to get my 6-year-old sister home safely. 36 years ago when I was a 10-year-old walking my siblings back and forth to school, I wasn't worried about it. Actually I just wanted to make sure you don't get Stated Meeting 66 02/08/2024 hit by a car. That was the big concern I had. Get to school, don't get hit by a car, come home. He talked about having to walk over dirty needles, pass drug dealers, other schools being on lockdown for shootings. That is the perspective that we have to look at. Everything we do for now on does it make that 10-year-old safe, does it make his 6-year-old sister safe, does it make all the kids in the community safe. For six years I've sat in meetings with the past Administration, sat with some Councilmembers and they consistently insisted that the most vulnerable people in our community were the drug users and not the children. So I support the Kensington Caucus because they know the children and our senior citizens are our most vulnerable citizens and will Stated Meeting 67 02/08/2024 prioritize them for once because it's been years since anybody's cared about them. Thank you. (Applause.)
Paul Newman commenting on 240073. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Paul Newman. Virtually absent from D-Day Iconic photos, documentary footage and films are images of the 1700 Black soldiers who also landed on Omaha Beach. Overbrook High graduate Waverly B. Woodson served as a combat medic in the all Black 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion. A mine floating in the English Channel damaged the LST transporting Woodson and its unit to the beach. The explosion lodged shrapnel near Woodson's groin and Stated Meeting 68 02/08/2024 back. His wound was superficially bandaged. Instead of seeking further treatment, Woodson stayed with his fellow medics as they set up a field dressing station. They treated all soldiers regardless of race. They worked as German machine gun power and mortar rounds landed near them. Over the next 30 hours, Woodson and four other medics treated over 200 soldiers. They removed bullets and shrapnel, set broken limbs, dispensed plasma and even amputated a foot. After working nonstop for 30 hours and as Woodson walked to receive further treatment for his own wounds, some soldiers spotted his medic arm band and frantically called out to him. They had pulled three men from the frigid waters of the English Channel. The men weren't breathing. An utterly exhausted Woodson Stated Meeting 69 02/08/2024 ignored his own needs, performed artificial respiration and saved three more lives. Woodson was awarded a bronze star for his bravery. In the 1990s, Woodson's outstanding bravery was considered for the Congressional Medal of Honor, but most of his service records were burned during a massive 1973 fire. He wasn't selected. In 1994, he was awarded France's Legion of Honor, that country's highest decoration. Two years ago the United States Army Rock Island Arsenal Health Clinic was renamed in his honor. I'm here to ensure Waverly B. Woodson, Jr. isn't forgotten in the city where he was born and grew up by having his name added to the 1200 block of North 58th Street, his childhood home. Thank you. (Applause.)
Stated Meeting 70 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you. Anyone else on the public comment sign-in sheet?
That concludes today's public comment period. We will now consider the resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Will the Clerk please read the title of the resolution 240073.
A resolution also naming the 1200 block of North 58th Street "Waverly B. Woodson, Jr. Way" in honor of war hero Waverly Bernard Woodson, Jr., for his courageous and self-less service during World War II.
Okay. That's for Councilmember Jones. And so, when he comes back, we will go back to that particular Stated Meeting 71 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING bill. Will the Clerk please the title of Bill 240074.
A resolution establishing the Kensington Caucus to represent the united legislative front in addressing the crisis in the Kensington area.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Ayes.) Stated Meeting 72 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240081.
A resolution recognizing nonprofit Half a Million Kids to bring awareness to children living in the foster care system and ways Philadelphia can work collaboratively to help find permanent homes for foster kids.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 73 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240073.
A resolution also naming the 1200 block of North 58th Street "Waverly B. Woodson, Jr. Way" in honor of war hero Waverly Bernard Woodson, Jr., for his courageous and self-less service during World War II. Stated Meeting 74 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Curtis Jones for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion carries. Will the Clerk -(Applause.)
Stated Meeting 75 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Will the Clerk please read any additional resolutions on today's Final Passage Calendar.
A resolution honoring and commemorating the life and legacy of revered Philadelphian, Professor and Architect Emanuel Kelly introduced today by Councilmember Gauthier.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 76 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing, congratulating Champion of the Week, 5th grader Emily Enscore, for her work raising money for Project HOME to help end cycles of poverty and homelessness in Philadelphia. A reminder to all of us that little Philadelphians can do big things, introduced today by Councilmember Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 77 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
And a res -and a resolution recognizing the impact of Pennsylvania's Clean Slate law and celebrating its recent expansion, introduced today by Councilmember Thomas.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Thank Stated Meeting 78 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING you, Council President. I want to thank the team at Community Legal Services as well as the Public Defender's Office for all they do. And most importantly, I want to thank our colleagues in Harrisburg who I call up all the time to do a lot of different things, and this is one of the situations that we got right. So with that level of gratitude, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting 79 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings, examining witness relocation policies in the City of Philadelphia as well as discuss strategies on creating a housing rehabilitation and witness relocation program that will allow for higher rates of witness attendance and an increase in the closure rate of homicide cases, introduced today by Councilmember Jones.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion on the resolution.
Before I do that, I want to be voted aye on Stated Meeting 80 02/08/2024 2/8/24 - STATED - 2ND READING all bills and resolutions I may have missed, and I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
That completes our Calendar for today. The time we've all been Stated Meeting 81 02/08/2024 any speeches on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Are there any speeches on the part of the Majority? The Chair recognizes the Gentle Lady from Kensington, Quetcy Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I came in here this morning and I was going to say a whole lot of things, but I don't think I have to say anything, right. I think that the community residents who showed up on behalf of their neighbors in the Kensington community have said enough. I also believe that the images that they brought us to see today, that our children unfortunately witness through the lens of their eyes on a daily basis, are exactly the reason Stated Meeting 82 02/08/2024 for my colleagues and I to come together collaboratively and strategically and very intentionally work with one another to ensure that the residents, that the children in that community became our priority. And I want to make it really clear. To many who have reached out over the course of the weekend, over the course of this week, who consistently said that as a Caucus we were not compassionate, that we were not taking people suffering into consideration, and I want them to know that that is far from true, that because we do, because we understand their suffering, because we are living by the oath that we took to protect and serve people, that what will happen over the next few I'm going to say years, because I believe that's what's going to happen in Kensington in order to Stated Meeting 83 02/08/2024 life will take us a few years, will be difficult to see. Last Thursday as we sat here and we introduced the resolution to form the Kensington Caucus, there was an operation that took place and we were blamed for that operation, right. The Mayor and the Administration was blamed for an operation that none of us had anything to do with. It was clarified in the WHYY, it was clarified by the Kensington Voice that we had nothing to do with it. But let me say that although we had nothing to do with it, we are very supportive of our public safety partners who help protect communities like Kensington who for many years have been under occupation, because people have been afraid to make difficult decisions. The next few years will be difficult Stated Meeting 84 02/08/2024 it will be more difficult. But we should ask ourselves should our children be seeing those images every day or is it better for them to see an increase of police presence. Is it safe for them to walk by this every day or is it safe for them to walk by individuals who are there to ensure their safety. We have a responsibility as a city to ensure that our children, particularly those who we have failed over the course of the last few years, live and are given a better quality of life. And so, I want to say thank you to all of my colleagues who have questions about why we formed the Caucus, why it was necessary to form a Caucus. I want to say thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to have a conversation about the importance of it. I said last week Stated Meeting 85 02/08/2024 and your willingness to work and support us. When things get difficult, don't assume. Don't assume that we are doing it because we are prioritizing one over the other. Both communities, both populations in that community are equally as important to us as a Caucus. We have a responsibility to ensure that those individuals who are living on our street have quality of life as well. We need to figure out where do we take them, what do we do with them. What we can't do is allow them to continue to live in the condition that they are living in. (Applause.)